ISLAMABAD: Strong international condemnation has poured in following Israel’s large-scale air strikes on Lebanon, carried out just hours after a two-week ceasefire was announced in the United States–Iran conflict, raising fears of a wider regional escalation.
Israeli forces launched one of their most extensive bombardments in recent months, targeting multiple areas across Lebanon, including Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, Mount Lebanon, Sidon, and southern villages. According to Lebanon’s Civil Defence, at least 254 people were killed and 1,165 others wounded in the strikes.
The Israeli military described the assault as its largest coordinated attack since the start of its latest military operation on March 2, claiming it targeted more than 100 Hezbollah command centres and military sites.
The scale of the casualties has overwhelmed medical facilities, with Lebanon’s syndicate of doctors urgently calling on physicians of all specialities to report for duty, while major hospitals appealed for blood donations.
The strikes have also intensified diplomatic tensions, with conflicting claims over whether Lebanon was included in the ceasefire framework.
Pakistan strongly condemns Israeli strikes on Lebanon
Pakistan strongly condemned Israel’s ongoing military strikes on Lebanon, warning that the escalation risks derailing diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring stability in the Middle East.
In a statement, the Foreign Office said Islamabad “condemns in the strongest terms” the continued Israeli attacks, which it noted have resulted in significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction of infrastructure.
The statement emphasised that such actions not only endanger innocent lives but also undermine broader diplomatic initiatives to secure peace in the region. It described the strikes as a “blatant violation of international law and fundamental humanitarian principles”.
Calling for immediate international intervention, Pakistan urged the global community to take “urgent steps” to halt the aggression and prevent further deterioration of the situation.
Reaffirming its position, Islamabad expressed unwavering solidarity with the people and government of Lebanon, reiterating support for the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and its right to peace and stability.
UN chief condemns Israeli strikes on Lebanon
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Thursday condemned the massive wave of Israeli strikes on Lebanon.
“With the announcement of the ceasefire between Iran and the USA, the ongoing military activity in Lebanon poses a grave risk to the ceasefire and the efforts toward a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region,” Guterres says on X, stating, “Hostilities must stop immediately.”
Guterres stresses that international law must be respected and that civilians must be protected at all times, calling attacks against them “unacceptable”.
“There is no military solution to the conflict.”
Russia condemns Israeli strikes on Lebanon
Russia has strongly condemned Wednesday’s Israeli strikes on Lebanon and demanded that the Pakistan-brokered US-Iran ceasefire must include Lebanon.
Russian ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned on Thursday that the Israeli actions could derail ongoing negotiations and risk escalating regional hostilities.
Maria Zakharova said that such aggressive action “threatens to derail the negotiation process that was beginning to take shape” and risks an escalation of hostilities in the region.
Widespread International Condemnation
Countries and international organisations swiftly condemned the attacks, warning of severe consequences for regional stability and international law.
Qatar denounced the strikes as a “dangerous escalation” and a “flagrant violation” of Lebanon’s sovereignty and international humanitarian law, calling on the global community to act decisively to halt the violence.
Egypt said the attacks reflected a “premeditated intent” to undermine diplomatic efforts and warned that they risk dragging the region into “total chaos”.
Türkiye also issued a strong condemnation, stating that the strikes were worsening the humanitarian crisis and urging immediate international action to protect civilians.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez criticised Israel’s actions as intolerable, calling for Lebanon’s inclusion in the ceasefire, a clear condemnation from the international community, and accountability for what he described as violations of international law.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed solidarity with Lebanon, describing the strikes as “unjustified and unacceptable”, and warned against the risk of a broader conflict that could jeopardise the ceasefire and regional stability.
The United Nations strongly condemned the attacks, with a spokesperson for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighting the heavy civilian toll and urging all sides to return to diplomatic channels.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk described the scale of destruction as “horrific” and said it placed immense strain on already fragile peace efforts.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it was “outraged” by the devastation in densely populated areas, stressing that any regional agreement must prioritise the protection of civilians.
French President, Pakistan PM condemn aggression in Lebanon
On Thursday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from French President Emmanuel Macron.
During the telephone conversation, both leaders expressed their serious concern over the ongoing aggression in Lebanon and stressed upon the urgent need to end the violence and killings, so that peace could be re-established in the entire region, Pakistan PM Office stated.
During their conversation, President Macron congratulated PM Sharif for Pakistan’s mediation efforts that had resulted in the ceasefire between Iran and the US and brought both sides to the negotiating table.
Macron conveyed his good wishes to the Prime Minister for the success of the upcoming peace talks in Islamabad.
PM Sharif reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue to strive for peace and stability in the region.
Rising Tensions and Warnings
Lebanese officials sharply criticised the strikes, with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri calling them a “full-fledged war crime” and a blatant violation of international law.
Iran also issued a warning, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stating it would respond if the attacks continued. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the terms of the ceasefire were “clear and explicit” and urged the United States to uphold its commitments.
